YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Traverse Electrical System Problems

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse logged 109 electrical system complaints, 24% of its 461 total complaints for the year. Owners reported sudden engine shutdowns, power surges, and false "shift to park" warnings, with a median failure mileage of 23,075. No related recall is listed for this issue.

Electrical System complaints
109
24% of 461
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
23,075 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle loses all power and shuts off while driving at speeds from 20 to 65 mph, sometimes with no warning and no ability to restart.
  • Engine alternates between power surges and complete loss of power, often reported during rain or on hills.
  • Check engine light comes on alongside a sudden power loss or jerking sensation, with dealers unable to fully diagnose the cause.
  • Instrument display screen flickers on and off for extended periods while driving, disabling steering wheel control buttons.
  • A "shift to park" warning appears on the display even when the vehicle is properly parked, delaying engine shutoff for several minutes.
  • Radio and infotainment screen freezes or fails to turn on or off along with reported transmission lag.

When 2018 Chevrolet Traverse electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 4, 2018, latest Sep 6, 2026.

2018 Chevrolet Traverse electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter82018 Q22019 Q32021 Q12022 Q22023 Q32024 Q42026 Q1
109 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (8).

Electrical System recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Traverse model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201062 (9%)
  2. 201173 (12%)
  3. 201249 (14%)
  4. 201353 (33%)
  5. 2014128 (23%)
  6. 201533 (11%)
  7. 201628 (10%)
  8. 201723 (6%)
  9. 2018109 (24%)
  10. 2019114 (28%)
  11. 202030 (13%)
  12. 202122 (25%)
  13. 202221 (21%)
  14. 202323 (26%)
  15. 202425 (18%)
  16. 202546 (26%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems in the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?
NHTSA lists 109 electrical system complaints for the 2018 Traverse, which is 24% of all 461 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse electrical system?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this electrical system issue on the 2018 Traverse.
At what mileage do 2018 Traverse electrical problems usually happen?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 23,075 at the time of failure.
Did the 2018 Traverse electrical issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this electrical system category lists 1 crash and 5 injuries, with 0 fires reported.
How does the 2018 Traverse compare to other years for electrical complaints?
The 2018 model's 24% share is higher than most other years in the lineup, though the 2019 Traverse had a higher share at 28%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.